The state of our roads in Ipswich and Suffolk
Dealing with potholes and managing streetworks
New government funding has been announced for road and pothole maintenance. Liberal Democrats will demand that this is spent to the full on our Ipswich and Suffolk roads. Streetworks by utility companies cause continuous congestion, delays and frustration. Better co-ordination, and a higher standard of road re-instatement are essential.
Many drivers know well the cost to them when they hit a pothole. Getting new tyres, wheels or shock absorbers fitted is expensive.
As new funding is announced for road and pothole maintenance, we need to be sure we spend all the funding that Government has allowed us to spend. Suffolk roads desperately need that money being spent on them. Well-maintained roads are not only good for cars and lorries but also for cyclists who often find that the potholes are in the edge of the road where they are riding.
We need to be sure our recording of how Highway Funding is being spent is done in a way that can be easily shared with Government, so Suffolk does not lose any of its funding.
With all the development around Suffolk our roads are getting a battering and this includes narrow country lanes which were never built for the many heavy lorry journeys required. We need an active monitoring of the weight of lorries using the road network.
Legislation which governs the operation of electricity, water, gas and telecommunications gives those utilities the right to undertake streetworks as deemed necessary. However, opening up a trench in a road can reduce the lifespan of the road by 17%. We need better monitoring of reinstatement by utility companies after they have exercised their right to dig in the highway.
We also need more flexibility for teams repairing potholes to also repair others in the vicinity which will soon needs filling in anyway. Potholes often indicate a stressed road surface which a simple “patch and leave” approach will not address. Allowing nearby road damage to deteriorate will cost more to fix later.
Finally, we must not forget our pavements which are an important network for pedestrians. A fall on an uneven pavement can be costly to the health system as well as to the life quality of the victim.